Is Substack Right for You? with Claire Tak {ep. 161}

Alexa's Publishing Chat

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about Substack but aren’t sure what it is—or how it could actually help you as a writer—you’re going to love today’s conversation. I’m joined by Claire Tak, a tech writer turned aspiring memoirist, who shares how Substack became her go-to platform for building an authentic writing community, sharing her journey, and even exploring monetization. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or ready to dive in, this episode will give you a real-world look at how Substack works and why it might be the perfect fit for you.
In this episode, Alexa and Claire discuss:

• Why Substack is suddenly everywhere and why writers are flocking to it
  
• Claire’s journey from tech writer to aspiring memoir author—and how Substack helped her build community along the way
  
• The real reason Substack is so appealing (hint: it’s free and easy to use!)
  
• How Substack combines the best of blogging and email newsletters—and why it might just be the blog 2.0
  
• Whether it’s worth turning on paid subscriptions (spoiler: Claire finally did it!)
  
• Growing a following organically and the power of meaningful engagement on the platform
  
• Why Substack isn’t a magic bullet—but it can be a powerful tool with the right plan
  
• Using Substack categories to organize your posts and help readers find what they want
  
• How to avoid content burnout and set a sustainable posting schedule
  
• Tips for using Substack as an author to connect with your audience—even before your book is published
  

Claire also shares how Substack became the perfect place for her to share pieces of her memoir, connect with other writers, and document her journey. Whether you're new to Substack or have been lurking but haven't taken the leap, this episode offers an honest, real-world look at what it's like to grow an audience there—without being glued to social media.

📬 Want to see how Claire does it?
Check out her Substack: https://clairetak.substack.com
Or visit her website: https://clairetak.com

🛠️ Resource:
👉 Want to learn how to set up and grow your own Substack? Join the upcoming workshop: Substack Deep Dive